Wireless problems with Inspiron E1505

Question

Hi. I'm gonna try to explainmy problem as best as I can. I got my laptop over a week ago and the wireless was working perfectly fine until yesterday. Since yesterday I was unable to connect to the internet, a window pops up and says 'Networks found, select one and click to connect' but before that, it usually would say the connection is very good and I would be online. Now when I click on the bubble, it would list the following wireless networks: This network has security enabled The previous profile that worked was called Linksys but nothing happens when I click connect. It also would not allow me to do any setup to the networks.   I've been getting my wireless connection from my desktop which is connected to a cable modem and is a non wireless Linksys router. I tried right clicking and repair but it didn't work.   Is this problem because of the laptop or my Linksys router? the internet works fine on the desktop.   Here's the wireless card in the laptop: Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps)   any help would be appreciated. thanks. Message Edited by firefly3662 on 07-22-200610:17 PM

MRF4700 · Answer

Do you have a wireless card installed on your desktop? If not, then my guess is that since you've had your laptop, you've been acquiring someone else's(neighbor)wireless network. Which they have only recently, security encrypted to prevent people from accessing their wireless network. If your network is not configured for Ad-Hoc mode, and your desktop doesn't have a wireless network adapter, then you could only be accessing someone else's network...

esquire · Answer

You own the wireless router/network called Linksys?  If not, someone has decided to lock out unwanted neighbours from using their network.

esquire · Answer

No, the question is not whether you own your non-wireless router, but the wireless router or network that used to be called 'Linksys'.  Non-wireless or wired router does not support any wireless connection so it appears at first glance that you do not own the wireless network.   Message Edited by esquire on 07-23-200601:28 PM

firefly3662 · Answer

thanks for the responses. the linksys (non wireless) router has always been mine since I was able to connect online through my laptop since I got it. I have 2 desktops which both uses an ethernet card.

Mcoffman · Answer

Firefly,

I think it would be helpful for you to describe exactly how you have your set up hooked up. How can you be accessing a wireless connection if you only have a wired router? If you have a wired router - you have to run a wire to your laptop to get internet. Possibly you have the proper equipment but the way you are explaining it is making it sound like you don't. Please detail exactly how your computers are hooked up and give the model number of the router.

Marie

firefly3662 · Answer

sorry for all the confusion, I'm new to this whole wireless thing and never really understood how it worked but I think I finally figured my problem out. When I got the laptop, it automatically detected connections and I just assumed that it was cause of my linksys router (connected to my desktop) because it has the same profile name- without thinking that other people might be using the same brand. So I guess I've been stealing connections from other people (like MRF4700  and Esquire said) with a linksys wireless and now it's been locked. I guess that's how I've been going wireless? Message Edited by firefly3662 on 07-23-200611:35 AM

Mcoffman · Answer

Firefly,

I do understand. You see alot of posts on here about people who are having trouble with their wireless or wired routers. I just about drove Linksys and Insight chat support nuts when I went wireless. Even now, I can only maintain and fix the basics with my wireless. Nothing complicated.

Marie

BBraxton · Answer

When I set up home wireless, the default SSID was 'SMC' because that was the brand and the friend setting it up immediately changed it to something else (like 'BBB') for this very reason. Once someone knows a wireless brand SSID that has not been changed, they probably know the administrator password which most likely also has not been changed.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless problems with Inspiron E1505

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